Gas dealers want other suppliers

The Petroleum Dealers Association (PDA) said Wednesday’s disruption of its supply from National Petroleum (NP) meant alternative suppliers should be sought. Also recalling a protest by NP workers on August 21 after NP said it would franchise its Quick Shoppes, the PDA in a statement yesterday said it was very concerned with the inconsistency of fuel deliveries to service stations. “On two separate occasions the country has been traumatised with the fear of a gas shortage for reasons that were best exaggerated if not contrived.”

Likening the NP situation to that of TSTT, the PDA said: “In recent times, once there is a need to review any position by management on the operation of these enterprises, the immediate reaction is drastic and the population starts to suffer.” Foreseeing that problems would continue at NP, the statement said: “The PDA is calling on Government to allow dealers to source and approach alternative suppliers once National Petroleum cannot supply service stations after a 24-hour period and until normalcy returns. This will ensure the country is not inconvenienced and also held to ransom.” Noting that most service stations had just one pump for unleaded gas, the PDA urged that NP repair personnel be available on weekends to fix gas pumps, instead of just on the current five-day basis.